After my presentation, I have been able to reflect on the
changes that I feel I could make to my project. These changes have come with
changes in how I want to present my work and also what I want it to look like.
I therefore wanted to look at more photographers that I could get influence
from. Although I am looking at new photographers, I will still take great
influence from the artist’s I have already looked at (shown in-depth in my artist research in my pre-production folder):
- Francesca Woodman’s way in which she portrays women and her eerie settings in which she places them and herself.
- Gregory Crewdson’s use of lighting and props.
- Richard Avedon’s capture of emotion on the face of his models
- Annie Leibovitz’s visual narrative information.
I have started the furthering of my artist research with Martin
Bell.
Martin Bell
http://www.martinbell-photography.co.uk/
Although on Martin Bell’s website predominantly shows his
wedding photography, the photos that caught my eye was his work with dance and
theatrical production.
In both the above shots, I visually enjoy the way the
performers have been captured. When captured during a dance performance, Martin
Bell has been able to show the extremely difficult and uncomforting positions
that these dancers can put their bodies through. In the first shot I was
focused largely on the right image, she has been captured in a crab-like
position, which to me formulated an uncomforting feeling because I know that I
would be unable to get myself in such a pose. The second image shows a position
fairly similar to the first, it is however captured with the her body bending
towards the camera, rather than side on, this gives me a better glimpse of her
face and her emotion when in such a pose.
I love this shot, not for the pose as before, but for the
lighting, or lack of it. If I am to compare this photo alongside Gregory
Crewdson’s work, you can see a complete opposite in lighting choices. Although
Martin Bell wont have any control over the lighting set-up, this photo makes
great use of the lack of light and he has kept the performer very central in
frame, creating a very natural vignette that only has the dancer illuminated.
Keeping the dancer central has helped to instantly draw my focus to him and
keep it stuck due to the vignette.
Diane Arbus
I have chosen to look at Diane Arbus’ series that she
produced of the mentally retarded during the time of 1969 and 1971. This series
of images show multiple trips to see and photograph the mentally retarded
during their day-to-day life. I’m interested in the idea that she has created
this work that showcases work that some people will find happiness and joy
from, whilst others will be repulsed by, this contrast of emotion/opinion of
the work intrigues me.
In the second photo, you can again see the girl attempting
perhaps a summersault, however what has been captured is this striking pose,
showing the girls body in a spread out and uncomforting manner. Although the
background shows the other two girls laughing at what is happening, the unnatural
body position makes me feel uncomfortable about the photo.
This type of body position is what I have used in my first
practice shoot I did in the studio; I placed Arachne in this position. The
position looks completely unnatural and therefore is a shock to the audience, my
aim is that the more you look at it, the more it will create an uncomforting
feeling to the audience.
